What he lacks in size he makes up in brains

STOCKTON - Toni Rajala is accustomed to not being one of the bigger players on the ice. And throughout his young hockey career, it hasn't mattered.

Scott Linesburgh

STOCKTON - Toni Rajala is accustomed to not being one of the bigger players on the ice. And throughout his young hockey career, it hasn't mattered.

He has always been able to regularly put the puck in the net, whether he was playing as a youngster, internationally as an amateur or now as a professional for the Stockton Thunder, which hosts the Utah Grizzlies at 7:30 p.m. today at Stockton Arena.

Rajala, a 21-year-old right wing from Parkano, Finland, has been the hottest player on the Thunder (8-3-1) in its first 12 games, earning at least a point in 10 consecutive games. He leads ECHL rookies in scoring (17 points) and goals scored (eight), and is also the Thunder's top point earner.

And he's proven he can handle the pro game despite his slender 5-foot-10, 163-pound frame.

"He's not a huge guy, but he's got great speed and vision, and every time he has the puck you think he can do something with it," Thunder coach Matt Thomas said. "Size doesn't mean that you are quick or smart, and Toni is both."

He frequently plays right wing on the same line with center Eric Hunter and left wing Philippe Cornet, and Thomas said Rajala hits the puck "like he weighs 250 pounds." Hunter believes teams are often caught off guard by his power.

"He's a surprising player. He probably has the hardest shot on the team, and he doesn't look like that would be true," Hunter said. "He's impressive."

Rajala said the key is making good decisions.

"I'm a pretty good skater, and I try to be smart with the puck," Rajala said. "I try to get good position and try to find a lane. I just have to be a little smarter because I'm a pretty small guy out there."

He had an outstanding international amateur career, leading Finland to a bronze medal in the 2009 IIHF Under-18 World Championships. He had 19 points in the tournament, setting a record formerly held by Russian Alexander Ovechkin, now a star for the Washington Capitals.

The Edmonton Oilers selected Rajala in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Draft, and this season the Oilers sent him from its American Hockey League affiliate in Oklahoma City to Stockton. He said he's enjoying his stay with the Thunder and the opportunity to team up with Cornet and Hunter.

The three have combined for 39 points, but don't make a special effort to get the puck to Rajala. That happens naturally.

"You look for whoever is open, but Toni is playing so well he's just creating a lot of opportunities," Cornet said.

The Thunder announced Thursday forward Cameron Abney has returned from Oklahoma City. He played one game for Stockton earlier this year.